§ MR. DEEDESsaid, in the absence of his hon. Friend (Mr. Cayley) he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with respect to a Circular lately sent to the Magistrates of the County of York on the subject of a division of the Assizes of that county, Whether he is aware that the Common Law (Judicial Business) Commissioners (1857) reported against the expediency of removing the Assizes from York; whether he is aware that in 1858 a Memorial was forwarded to the then Secretary of State, prepared by a Committee appointed by the General Gaol Sessions of the County, and signed by 309 of the Magistracy (169 being magistrates of the West Riding), expressing a conviction that the removal of any portion of the Assizes from York would he accompanied by great public inconvenience and be at variance with the feelings of the county at large; and, whether he has any objection to lay upon the table any recommendation he may have received in favour of such change, together with the names or numbers of the parties recommending the same?
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, he had received representations from a very numerous and respectable deputation a short time ago in reference to the advantages which would arise from holding a separate assize for the West Riding; and he had addressed letters to the three Lords-lieutenant of the different Ridings of Yorkshire, requesting them to ascertain the opinions of the magistrates in their respective districts. There would be no objection to produce the answers when they were received. The correspondence which had already taken place would be published.